Abuja-based businesswoman and investor, Aisha Achimugu, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of carrying out what she described as a sustained campaign of persecution against her, alleging that the agency’s actions have placed her life, family, businesses and investments worth more than $100 million at risk.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Achimugu appealed to the National Assembly, the judiciary, security agencies, human rights organisations and the international community to intervene, alleging that the EFCC had subjected her to intimidation, unlawful asset seizures, media trial and disregard for court orders.
She maintained that she has never been convicted of any criminal offence and insisted that the commission’s actions have damaged her reputation, crippled her businesses and caused emotional distress to her family.
According to Achimugu, the dispute began in 2023 when the EFCC froze her personal and corporate bank accounts, including accounts belonging to her children and companies under the Felak Group, over allegations linking her to MBA Forex and Capital Investment.
She denied owning or managing MBA Forex, stating that her company’s relationship with the firm was limited to a single business transaction. She added that she refunded N58 million to the EFCC in an effort to resolve issues arising from that transaction.
The businesswoman further alleged that despite communicating with the commission through her lawyers over invitations for questioning, she was declared wanted in March 2025 shortly after her company paid $20 million to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission for the acquisition of two oil blocks.
Achimugu claimed EFCC operatives later raided her residence, seized jewellery, cash and other valuables, and arrested her upon her return to Nigeria in April 2025 despite an existing court order. She also accused the commission of delaying her release after she met bail conditions granted by the Federal High Court.
She alleged that the anti-graft agency later froze additional bank accounts, secured multiple interim forfeiture orders against her assets and carried out another raid on her residence in January 2026 during which several vehicles were seized.
According to her, the commission’s actions led to the loss of international banking relationships, cancellation of investment opportunities and reputational damage beyond Nigeria. She also claimed the developments contributed to the revocation of her United States visa and disrupted her international business engagements, including plans to attend a Harvard executive programme.
Achimugu said she has invested nearly $90 million in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector over the past five years and attracted more than $100 million in investments into the country. She added that her companies employ about 200 Nigerians, while her Sam Empowerment Foundation has carried out health, education and community development projects across the country.
She called on the media to avoid what she described as trial by media and urged relevant institutions to uphold due process and the rule of law.
Achimugu also stated that she has honoured more than 20 EFCC invitations and denied allegations of money laundering and criminal conspiracy.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not responded to the allegations contained in her statement.
The commission had previously declared Achimugu wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering and financial crimes and has obtained several interim forfeiture orders against assets linked to her.
The matter remains before the court.